Johnny's Italian Steakhouse in West Des Moines. Construction on a third metro-area Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse is set to begin in late fall in Altoona. / Register File Photo

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Construction on a third metro-area Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse is set to begin in late fall in the Shoppes at Prairie Crossing in Altoona, south of Bass Pro Shop.

Heart of America Group, the Quad Cities company operated by businessman Mike Whalen, also operates two other Johnny’s Italian Steakhouses locally, one south of the Des Moines airport and the other on Mills Civic Parkway in West Des Moines.

The Shoppes at Prairie Crossing is Whalen’s proposed 175-acre retail and entertainment development along Interstate Highway 80. Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse is expected to open next summer.